MICROPROPAGATION OF MINTHOSTACHYS-MOLLIS (HBK) GRIESEB. AND ESSENTIALOIL COMPOSITION OF CLONALLY PROPAGATED PLANTS

Cultures of Minthostachys mollis were established from nodal explants obtained under aseptic conditions. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) half-strength medium containing B-benzyladenine (BA), and/or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Optimum numbers of healthy shoots were induced on media containing 0.05 mu M NAA plus 2.2 mu M BA; high er concentrations caused more hyperhydricity and less extension. Rooti ng was achieved on half-strength MS medium with 0.05 mu M NAA. Plantle ts were acclimatized and successfully transferred to soil. Essential o il composition of the regenerated plants were determined by gas chroma tography/mass spectrometry and little differences were found in the es sential oil composition with the plant grown in the wild.